Total pages in book: 60
Estimated words: 56410 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 282(@200wpm)___ 226(@250wpm)___ 188(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 56410 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 282(@200wpm)___ 226(@250wpm)___ 188(@300wpm)
He gave her a tight nod. “But as far as telling you where he’s at, I can’t help you with that, ‘cause I don’t know where he is.”
“Thanks.” Keira gave him a small smile and left the shop, not sure where to even look next. But the longer she stood there, the more she realized where he might be. The one place he said he went to get away and think.
She got back in the SUV and started heading for that lone structure where he’d first touched her, where her heart had really raced for the very first time.
Once on the private property, she pulled into the small strip of dirt off the side of the road and cut the engine. Keira chewed her bottom lip, nervous to be here. She didn't have the cloak of darkness around her now. If she got caught, she could get in serious trouble, no matter what connections her parents had.
She climbed out of the vehicle and started making her way toward the barn. She kept to the trees but stayed parallel to the dirt road. And then she saw the structure and her heart raced. Remembrance from their last time here filled her mind and made her move quicker. Once inside, she stopped and stood there, listening. Everything was so still and silent that she almost turned around, assuming she was alone. But she went in deeper and headed toward the little room Reese had taken her to that first night.
And when she rounded the corner, she froze, seeing him sitting on an overturned crate, his head lowered, his forearms resting on his thighs.
He had his eyes closed and headphones covering his ears.
For a moment, all she did was stare at him. It seemed like so long since she had seen him last. He was big and strong… yet so sad-looking in that moment.
The urge to go to him, wrap her arms around him, and hold him close was so strong that she started to do just that, but even with his eyes closed and his hearing blocked by the loud, angry music coming from his earbuds, he must have sensed her.
He lifted his head and opened his eyes, looking right at her.
For long seconds, she didn’t move, didn’t even breathe. Slowly, he stood and pulled his headphones off. His throat worked as he swallowed, and she could hear the force of it from where she stood. Now that she was so close to him, she didn’t know what to say.
“Keira,” he said her name in a broken pitch. “What are you doing here?” He swallowed again.
“I wanted to talk to you.”
“How did you know I was here?”
“I didn’t. I hoped you were. I stopped by the tattoo parlor and spoke with Max, but he didn’t know where you’d be. I figured maybe I’d try here.” Surprise filtered across his face at her explanation. She was twisting her hands together. “I…” The words stayed clogged in her throat, and she took a steadying breath. “I’m sorry, but please don’t shut me out anymore. I know you think this is what I want, and I know I made you feel that way.” She took another step closer, swore she saw and felt his nervousness. “I was stupid for thinking I needed time to think about things and work through whatever it was that bothered me.” Emotion was so strong in her that she couldn’t breathe. “This time away from you has been so hard for me—”
“It’s been hell,” he finished.
She nodded. “It’s not what I wanted,” she said again. She took another step and another until she stood a foot in front of him. She saw his big body shudder as if her very presence affected him so deeply he couldn’t control himself.
“I wanted to call you so many times,” he whispered. “I wanted to talk to you… hold you.”
“God, Reese, I love you so much.” She hoped he could see her words meant so much more. They held all of her emotions, all of her feelings, and most of all, all of her love for Reese Trenton.
“What?” He exhaled, that word coming out broken. “You love me?” He closed the foot between them, and she nodded.
“I love you, Reese, and I should have told you that before you left.” His gaze lowered to her lips then rose to her eyes once more. “Alex told me today what you said that day you came to my house, how you—”
“Are in love with you,” he finished.
Her palms were sweaty, and she rubbed them on her jeans. He stared at her for long seconds. “Say something, please.” She drew his scent into her lungs and waited with bated breath to hear what he’d say, if he still felt the same way for her.
For several seconds, all he did was stare at her. Then his hand lifted, and he cupped her cheek. She closed her eyes and leaned into his touch.